A COVENANT WITH GOD
PART 9
THE CHURCH COVENANT
“Family & Private Devotions”
Date: August 11, 2002
Place: Allendale Baptist Church
Text: Joshua 1:1-8
Introduction
We continue our study in the church covenant today with the beginning of the third paragraph.
(*Show 3rd paragraph.)
Not long ago, families would gather together one evening a week the father would take out the family Bible, read a passage of scripture and the family would spend time reflecting and commenting on these verses and how they could apply them to each of their lives. Some called it the “Family Alter Time”.
Many of us, when be became a Christian, someone encouraged us to begin our day reading and studying Scripture, and we might at one time had a daily devotion. A time set aside each morning or evening to pray, read scripture and listen as God through His Holy Spirit spoke to us. But for many of us we have slowed down or possibly stopped that much-needed time. And because of this we have stopped growing and maybe stopped listening and sadly stopped obeying God.
This morning I want to ask a question, much like I ask each Sunday morning; are you spending time in God’s Word? Each Day? Why not?
This morning I would like to share with you from Joshua chapter 1 verses 1-8, using verse 8 as my main text.
(Stand for the reading of God’s Word)
Joshua was a man that was about to take on a great burden and responsibility. He was following in the footsteps of a great leader, Moses. God’s plan was to use Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. God reveals this plan and also encourages him. But He also gives Joshua instruction. God tells Joshua to meditate on the Word of God.
What does it mean to meditate?
Defined by Webster’s as to think deeply. The application is to read with thoughtfulness, to linger over God’s Word.
Have you ever gotten a song in your head you can’t stop thinking about? It keeps coming back over & over again. That is the idea. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have if God’s Word got stuck in our heads the same way?
God tells Joshua “you shall meditate”…
This doesn’t sound like Joshua has a choice in the matter.
Let’s look this morning at verse 8 and see the resource, the Retainment, the Reflection, the Reflection , the Reason, and The Result of meditation of God’s Word.
I. The Resource
A. “This Book of the Law”
B. This is referring to Scripture, specifically the first five books, Genesis through Deuteronomy or as it is called the Pentateuch.
C. This is all Joshua had. We have Genesis through Revelation. A great book written by a great God
1. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says; “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2. Romans 15:4; “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scripture might have hope.”
D. If Joshua could accomplish all he did with the first 5 books of the Bible what can someone committed to all we are given do for the kingdom of God?
II. The Retainment
A. “Shall not depart from your mouth.”
B. The best translation for this verse is that Joshua will not stop speaking the truth of God’s Word.
C. The application for us should be as Jeremiah said in 20:9; “But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back and I could not.”
III. The Reflection
A. “But you shall meditate on it day and night”
B. We are to study God’s Word.
1. 2 Timothy 2:15; “Study to show yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2. Psalms 119:103; “How sweet are Your words to my taste sweeter than honey to my taste.”
C. The Bible is not a difficult book to understand for the saved person.
D. 1 Corinthians 2:14; “But the natural man does not receive the things of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
E. When trials & temptation come what comes out of our mouth.
F. A computer term that is used Garbage in- Garbage out.
IV. The Reason.
A. “That you may observe”
B. The benefit of devotion and meditation on God’s Word is it helps us to be obedient to God’s Word.
C. Psalms 199:9,15-16 “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word. I will meditate on Your precepts and contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes, I will not forget Your word.”
D. Keeping God’s Word hidden in your heart is a good deterrent to sin.
V. The Results
A. “For then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success.”
B. Meditation brings blessings from God.
C. Those who know & obey the Word of God will be prosperous & successful in that they possess the wisdom to live righteously & to achieve God’s goal for their lives.
